Chapter Two - The First Week
BananaCarrot-Five
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Harry Potter is owned by Warner Bros. Entertainment and J.K. Rowling.
September 2, 1991
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Harry woke up at the crack of dawn. Because why not? Since he was forced awake every morning at six AM back with the Dursleys, waking up on his own was no issue for him since he had grown used to it for years. Except it was the first day of school and he had no idea where the heck anything was located. The castle was huge when he first saw it last night. He sat up and opened the curtains to his bed. He looked around and saw Neville sleeping peacefully. Harry saw he was in a dorm room with four other first year boys. Since none were stirring, he saw no reason to disrupt them. Harry hopped out of bed and pulled open his trunk to find his copy of Hogwarts: A History tucked neatly in the corner. He happily pulled it out and sat on his bed, reading the book on his fourth run-through.
Hermione was woken up by a jumpy girl and was about to yell at her when she saw how happy the girl was to be at Hogwarts. The briefly apologized for waking her up, but Hermione was also in that similar trance. She too was giddy about finally being at Hogwarts, after waiting nearly a year to come after Professor McGonagall had visited her house. She jumped out of bed and into her dorm bathroom to freshen up for the day. As much as she had read, however, she was still mostly clueless about when things happened, like her classes, or when meals were, anything like that. She went back into the room and saw that most of the girls were already awake.
Hermione introduced herself, and she was delighted that the other girls she shared a dorm with wanted to be her friend. After all, she was the freaky bookworm in Primary, and she did long for friendship. She soon learned that the girl who had woken her up was Lavender Brown, a short girl with wavy brown hair and dark blue eyes. Parvati Patil came from Indian descent and her sister, Padma Patil, was a Ravenclaw. She had light brown skin and dark brown eyes. She had long black hair and it was tied back into a ponytail. Kelly Morris was a dark-skinned girl with shorter black hair and brown eyes. She was the shortest out of all of them. Rebecca Smith was the comedian of the group, she had red hair, brown eyes, and was the tallest in the group, despite being the youngest. To put it in comparison, Hermione was the oldest Gryffindor First Year. The girls came to a consensus to head down to breakfast, despite not knowing when it actually started, around seven AM. Fortunately, Lavender held the brains of a map, and she was able to accurately move the girls to the Great Hall, where, ironically, breakfast was just starting.
Harry got to about the end of the first chapter before he heard light thumping coming from downstairs. He quietly peeked out over the balcony and saw the first year Gryffindor girls leaving the Common Room. Harry shrugged and looked at his watch. It was just past seven AM. He went back into the dorm and nudged Neville awake, who was sleepy at first but then agreed to see if breakfast was being served. The duo got dressed and within five minutes, they too were leaving the Common Room. Harry was able to backtrack to the Great Hall where they were the night before and soon enough, they were eating breakfast. Fifteen minutes later, two of the three other boys from the dorm danced their way inside the Hall. By this point, a good majority of the school was in the Great Hall, munching away at their food. Harry glanced twice over at the girl who helped them find Neville's toad. What was her name? He didn't remember. But she appeared to have friends. He smiled at her, and she looked back, but instead of smiling, she scowled at him. And this hurt Harry. Before he could react further, Professor McGonagall entered the Hall to pass out the class schedules for her House. Upon receiving the paper, Harry read the list.
Gryffindor House – First Year Courses
Monday
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Transfiguration
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Potions
1:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Double History of Magic
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM" Herbology
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Charms
11:00 PM – 12:00 AM: Astronomy
Tuesday
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Herbology
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Defense Against the Dark Arts (DADA)
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Potions
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Double Transfiguration
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Charms
Wednesday
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Double Potions
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Defense Against the Dark Arts (DADA)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: History of Magic
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Herbology
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Transfiguration
11:00 PM – 12:00 AM - Astronomy
Thursday
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Double Defense Against the Dark Arts (DADA)
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Flying Lessons
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Charms
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: History of Magic
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Potions
Friday
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Herbology
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: History of Magic
1:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Double Charms
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Defense Against the Dark Arts (DADA)
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Transfiguration
11:00 PM – 12:00 AM: Astronomy
Harry was slightly unsurprised at his schedule. It was shaped around muggle school schedules, except there were more classes per day and he had Astronomy at eleven at night every other day. Going through his schedule more thoroughly, he noticed History class and Defense class. He instantly penned them as his favourite classes, simply because History was his favourite subject back in Surrey and Defense class would hopefully help him to keep his abusive relatives at bay. Thinking about the Dursleys, he also penned Potions as a favourite, simply as he read it, it was like cooking.
\-0-0-/
Hermione was absolutely thrilled. Well, except when that Potter walked in. He had the audacity to smile at her. If anything was true in the books that she read over the summer, then he was doing a good job at covering it up. At covering who he really was. Because let's face it. All the books that Harry Potter was in slated him a hero, defeating the former most powerful wizard ever, being spoiled with anything and everything he asked, living in a castle and commanding slaves around to do work for him. He was smarter than Dumbledore, constantly creating spells he absolutely refused the world to see. From what Hermione had read, Harry had a personal library slightly smaller than the Hogwarts' library, and Hogwarts' library was the largest in the world! If Hermione was naive, she would've demanded that Harry bring her to his library, if not for the sheer reason that she wanted to read.
Hermione knew his act wouldn't last. She knew it was right to not go full-fledged into being his friend. From a logistical standpoint, a spoiled boy can easily fake wanting friends. Heck, she faked not wanting friends through her years at Crawley Primary. While her dorm mates called her their friend, Hermione really only called Lavender Brown a friend back, at least for now. While Hermione was musing over her thoughts, she hadn't noticed that Professor McGonagall had stood up in the middle of the hall.
"May I have the attention of all the First-Year students?" McGonagall looked around until she saw approximately fifty sets of young eyes focused on her. "As you have been made aware of, your heads of House have passed you your new schedule. For those who do not know your Head of House, I will tell you now." McGonagall looked behind her at the Professors and nodded. "For House Hufflepuff, Professor Pomona Sprout, who is also our Herbology Professor, is Hufflepuff's Head of House." At this, Professor Sprout, an older witch, stood up and received much of the applause of the Hufflepuff First-Years. She was plump and round, and as the older students knew, she always wore a smile on her face. McGonagall spoke again, waiting a full minute for the applause to die down.
"For House Slytherin, Professor Severus Snape, who is our Potions instructor, is Slytherin's Head of House." Professor Snape stood, clad in black robes and a sneer he never seems to not wear, still schooling himself with a stone face, as he nodded towards the clapping Slytherin First-Years. The applause died down, and Professor McGonagall continued. "For House Ravenclaw, Professor Filius Flitwick, our Charms instructor, is Ravenclaw's Head of House." The Ravenclaws, especially the older ones, started howling their support, while the First-Year Ravenclaws eagerly clapped in appreciation towards their Professor, who was almost as tall as the Goblins that Harry had seen in Diagon Alley. Professor McGonagall smiled, and after the applause died down, she continued for the last time. "For House Gryffindor-" howling and brief whistling, "Myself, Professor Minerva McGonagall, is Gryffindor's Head of House." The First-Years clapped eagerly, and the older boys were shouting happy thoughts and banging on the table. McGonagall put her hand up after about twenty seconds of it and concluded her speech. "If you need any assistance a Prefect or our Head Boy and Girl cannot provide, please speak to your Head of House and they will sort it out accordingly. Now, for our first years, Gryffindor and Slytherin to start, your first class is Transfiguration. For Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff First-Years, your first class is Charms, with Professor Flitwick. Now, class starts in twenty minutes, you may follow us teachers to your classes for the first week, then we leave it to you. Thank you."
Hermione felt ecstatic. She also felt miserable. What, even after all her studying, was unable to follow through on the course material? She didn't want to think about what would happen if she failed. Harry was feeling livid. However, Neville was feeling worse. Harry assured his friend that he wouldn't fail, and Neville passed that same gratitude back to him. Both boys finished eating, and patiently waited for Professor McGonagall to get up and ushered the kids to follow her to the classroom. Harry was pale the second he entered the classroom. He hadn't any paper to take notes! He was about to ask if he could be excused before Professor McGonagall stated that no parchment would be necessary for that day's lessons. She stepped into her office momentarily to collect something for the class, and a short redheaded boy clutching a shabby garden rat lumbered in, loudly sighing in relief that he wouldn't be caught.
Unfortunately, it was at this point that Professor McGonagall exited her back office, and the boy went white seeing her. "Welcome, Mr. Weasley. You are ten minutes late. Take a seat."
The boy was flustered and meekly took a seat in the back of the classroom. Harry looked at Neville and he shrugged. The girl seemed to be annoyed but made no mention of it. Professor McGonagall took a count of the students, and walked around, passing out the year's course syllabus. She explained that Transfiguration was a heavily focused class on both magicks and on theory. She strictly explained that she would be lecturing on how the class would run that day, and that the kids should being note taking materials tomorrow.
"My name is Professor McGonagall. Welcome to First Year Transfiguration. Transfiguration is one of Hogwarts' seven Core subjects taught. Transfiguration is a branch of Magicks that solely focuses on intent and skill. If you do not practice, you will fail. If you have no intent, you will achieve nothing. This class will be a healthy mix of both theory and magicks, so expect to be doing your fair share of assignments from me this year. Now. Onto the syllabus. You each have a copy. Let us review them."
Professor McGonagall spent the better part of her class going in depth of her class's regulations and rules. She made a very clear line between what was appropriate, and what was not. Harry, along with his peers, listened to the woman with rapt attention. After Transfiguration, the kids had Potions. Since Harry, or most of the Gryffindors at that, had no idea where the Potions classroom was, followed the Slytherins into the depth of the castle. Soon, they all arrived, in one incohesive bunch, to the Potions classroom. It was very murky and dark. It didn't feel happy. As it turned out, Neville was assigned to Harry's right, while Hermione Granger was assigned to his left. Suddenly, the door slammed open and in walked an annoyed man.
"There will be absolutely no foolish wand waving or silly and unnecessary incantations in this class." The man turned to face the class after reaching his podium. "I am Professor Snape, your Potions instructor. I do not expect many of you to appreciate the necessary patience and exact are that is potion making. However, for those select few," he stared at Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin gook from the train, "who possess the predisposition," he now faced the whole class. "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can show you how to brew fame, glory, and luck. I can even put a stopper in death."
By this point, Snape had stared at Harry. "Mister Potter. Our. New. Celebrity." Harry looked pained but didn't react. "Mister Potter, tell me what you would get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Harry was visibly confused. However, the arm of Hermione shot up, nearing nicking his ear the process. What was a powdered root of Asphodel and what was wormwood?
"I, uh, sir, I don't know what you're asking." Harry tried to be polite, but the sneer from the Professor proved difficult.
"Mister Potter, tell me where I might locate a bezoar?"
A what? How the heck was he supposed to remember or know what that was? Hermione still had he hand up, and a glance at Neville told him that he didn't know what a bezoar was, either. He simply shook his head and said, "I don't know, Sir."
Snape sneered again. "And what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?" Harry visibly paled but kept his composure. "No offense, Sir, but I read the potions book, and neither of those things are listed."
Snape sneered. "A pity. Well, Potter. Fame. Isn't. Everything." Most of the Slytherins smirked and giggled at this.
Harry spoke carefully. "Sir, with all due respect, you are becoming a bully, I don't like bullies. Don't single me out or I'll ask Professor McGonagall to change teachers for me. Also, Hermione here seems to know what you wanted me to know, so you can ask her. And talking about my fame? I didn't know I was famous until my birthday. Until I had people staring at me and swarming me like I was honey, and they were bees."
"Enough Potter! Thirty points for talking back and disrespecting a teacher!" Snape yelled.
Harry was about to yell back that he was disrespected first, but he didn't seem fond of getting kicked out on his first day. He was jabbed in the arm by Hermione who muttered "Thanks for screwing up." Harry was pained, again. He tried being polite to this girl for the sake of being polite, but she kept going on about how he was – whatever. He shrugged it off and decided to talk to Professor McGonagall after class. Potions class was a pain. And he was already hated by two people. At least Neville didn't take the mickey out on him.
At lunch, Professor McGonagall was there, as well as Professor Snape and a handful of other teachers. He politely requested to talk to McGonagall, and he could fell himself having a headache while asking her. Snape stared at him and looked pissed off. Professor McGonagall stepped out of the Hall with young Harry, and he explained what happened. Professor McGonagall held a pensive look, before conjuring a small flask. "Mr. Potter, will you please recall the events of your class, in as much detail for me as possible, in your head? I am going to take a copy of this and bring it to Professor Dumbledore."
Harry nodded, and soon he felt a cool wave pass through him, as a glowing strand was literally materialized out of his head and deposited into a flask. McGonagall thanked Harry, and he was sent on his way.
Gryffindor shared History of Magic with the Ravenclaws, and Professor Binns' lecture on the class was boring. So boring that Harry fell asleep. All he heard before dozing off was, "We will extensively review the Goblin Wars Saga that span 1254 to 1933."
He was jerked awake by Hermione, who seemed annoyed at him. "Honestly, sleeping during class? Pathetic!"
Harry then went with his House to the Greenhouses, where Professor Sprout and her First-Year Hufflepuffs joined them for the lesson. Compared to History of Magic, Professor Sprout was cheery, always moving around, always asking if anybody had questions, and even asked randomly if anybody remembered anything from the book, providing they read it. Hermione looked at Harry, who she assumed knew the answered in a snap, but he was too busy looking up and down the table, seeing if anyone else knew the answer. This surprised Hermione. She assumed that Harry, in his ever so arrogant state, would be eager to impress and answer questions. She was wrong. He did answer one question, but his response was a word-by-word transcription of a part of the book.
It was at this point that Harry learned two things: Neville was in love with Herbology, and Hermione wouldn't stop looking at him. Either she was trying to see if something was true, or maybe she just plainly hated the boy. Harry shrugged it off. He knew he would make enemies, and this girl would probably be his fourth enemy. Voldemort, the Dursleys, Malfoy, and her, in that order. At least he would be able to eat with his friend. Neville wasn't moving his smile for a long time after Herbology, only when he and Harry arrived at the Great Hall did, he stop smiling to eat.
Harry enjoyed dinner, a mix of turkey legs and mashed potatoes really filled him up. Now, he had Charms. Professor Flitwick was cheery and incredibly happy about the class, and over the hour that they had class with him, he explained what his class was, the purpose of Charms, and the types of spells that they would be learning. Most of the Gryffindors and Slytherins would find the class to be interesting, and Harry, Neville, and Hermione were excited about its prospect as Hermione explained to Lavender and Harry and Neville to each other in the dormitories later that night.
"I can ask Madam Pomfrey if she has Pepper-Up potions that we can take?" Neville asked. Harry looked blank. "Who?" and "What?" was all he responded with. Neville facepalmed. "Sorry Harry, Madam Pomfrey is our school nurse and Pepper-Up potions are meant to give you artificial adrenaline for about an hour until the natural body kicks in."
Harry nodded. "Alright, I understand, but I don't think I need to be drugged up on our first day."
This time Neville looked at him puzzled. "Drugged?"
"It's a muggle expression, sorry."
"Ah, alright. Let's get to Astronomy!" The boys left their dormitories and coincidentally ended up walking with Hermione and Lavender. Hermione seemed to be the only one who knew where the heeck they were going. After many turns and stairs, they finally met up with the Hufflepuffs, who were also joining them for Astronomy. According to them, they were the lucky House. Ravenclaw and Slytherin had Astronomy well past midnight.
Their Professor, Professor Sinistra, called the class to attention, gushing about how great Astronomy was, and how one can lose their sense of time looking through the stars. For Harry, it was surprisingly enjoyable. He was able to relax a little, as the class would mainly be using a practical approach to learning. When Harry and Neville, along with Gryffindor House went back to the Dorms, he fell instantly asleep as soon as his head touched his pillow.
\-0-0-/
September 3, 1991
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Sun awoke Harry, much like many of the First-Year students. He climbed out of bed an checked the time, and he learned he was deathly close to missing breakfast. He only had about twenty minutes before breakfast was over and his classes began. Neville was still peacefully sleeping, and Harry nudged him awake. He also woke up Weasley, who had started to snore. He thanked him, as he took no regard for still being in his pajamas and rushed out of the Dormitory. Harry and Neville chuckled slightly, before quickly changing, packing parchment, quills, and ink bottles into their robe pockets and rushing out of the Dorm five minutes later. Both boys made it to breakfast, while Weasley was wolfing down food, being the only kid in the Great Hall not properly in their robes. Harry and Neville sat down near Hermione, as she had gotten a reputation over the past two days to be bossy and strict. She looked at the boys and went back to her food.
As much as Harry wanted to be Hermione's friend (and knowing Neville did as well), he tried to make conversation about their Herbology class for first period. However, she only replied with "I'm excited." and stood up and walked out. She certainly didn't look excited if she didn't even want to talk. Neville nudged Harry and began talking about how excited he was to learn about Herbology. Harry became occupied with that as the two boys made their way to the Greenhouses, following the pack of Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors headed for the same destination.
As they entered, Professor Sprout was happily setting up potted plants that seemed to have five stems, each producing six different shaped leaves each. As the class started, Professor Sprout looked up and smiled.
"Everybody take out your quills and parchment, today I will be teaching you the history, and if we have time, the evolution of Folia Agendo, or commonly known as 'Pinching leaves.' First thing that you want to know is..." And that was the basics of Herbology class. Harry paid rapt attention, happily writing down anything the short Professor said, as he and many others in the class were equally amazed at this magical plant, or at least one of its three hundred and forty-two known variants. The kids left the greenhouse full of information on their new plant, and Neville couldn't stop gushing about how great it was. Harry couldn't either, as this was his first real explained act of a magical thing, not like Diagon Alley or something. Harry was just as equally excited for his next class, Defense Against the Dark Arts.
\-0-0-/
He hated it. Professor Quirinius Quirrell would not stop stuttering. Apparently, according to others, he was only the Defense Professor as he had gone on an "experience" and barley survived. And Harry's famous scar started burning whenever Quirrell walked away from him. Neville noticed this, but Harry told him that he was fine. Like Neville, Hermione, who was sitting next to them, agreed that he wasn't fine. Naturally, however, she didn't voice it. She was confused as Harry blatantly refused to duel against Quirrell after being asked about defeating Lord Voldemort. Quirrell looked disappointed at this but shrugged it off.
Thankfully, as it was lunch, Harry had an excuse to head to the Great Hall. He voiced to Neville that his headache was probably due to not eating much that morning. Neville agreed, and helped him pile several sandwiches on his plate, which Harry hastily ate, before taking more. After lunch time, the kids had Potions, with Professor Snape. Harry was genuinely scared to step into the classroom. After he asked McGonagall about the Potions Professor the day before, the man had been sneering at him with every chance he got. It was no surprise that Harry sank low in his chair when class started, not wanting to be the center of attention.
Snape breezed in, and gave one hard look at Harry before tapping a large chalkboard at the front of the classroom showed a list of three items:
Open books to Cures for Boils.
Follow instructions listed.
Present potion in proper vials for inspection.
"Now. Your partners. Longbottom and Finnigan. Potter and Granger. Weasley and Brown. Thomas and Patil. Morris and Smith. Malfoy and Parkinson. Greengrass and Davis. Bulstrode and Goyle. Crabbe, Zabini and Nott. Begin!" Snape barked. The class quickly rearranged into their groups and hastily pulled their books out.
"Uh, Hermione?" Harry asked.
She looked at him, questionably.
"What's snake fangs, horned slugs and porcupine quills?" he asked shyly.
"What?" Hermione almost screeched.
"Do you know what they are?"
"Uh, yeah! I'm surprised you don't!"
"Sorry," he replied.
Hermione sighed. She got up and went to the stores and pulled out the necessary ingredients. Bringing them back to Harry, she plopped them down and sighed heavily.
"Slugs, fangs, and quills" she said, pointing at each. Harry nodded quickly and began to follow the book's instructions. They got through the first half, unharmed. By this point, Bulstrode and Goyle's potion were a deep brown, Dean and the Patil girl's potion was bubbling uncontrollably, and Malfoy's potion was wrong. Well, according to Snape, who whacked the boy's head with his book and yelled, "START OVER!" and stalked away.
By the end of class, after completing the potion and portioning it out correctly, they were the only ones with the correct shade of pink that the book mentioned was the correct colour. The closest was Malfoy's crimson coloured potion. Neville had it horribly, however, and he forgot to pull the cauldron off the heater and added an ingredient and the cauldron exploded, spewing green goo all over the classroom. Snape deducted ten points for his stupidity and Harry five points for apparently causing him to fail. However, when he and Hermione presented the potion, Hermione was graded an "O" but Harry was given a "D". All Snape told him was "You don't expect me to give you special treatment just because you're famous? You get a D. You might be the Boy-Who-Lived but you obviously tagged along for the ride. NEXT!"
Harry was devastated. He had worked on a fair part of the potion with Hermione, and he was poorly graded because he survived a curse no one had before. God, he hated that Professor. Hermione, on the other hand, was very deep in thought. Harry's face and eyes when Snape had given him a horrid grade for the simple reason of being the Boy-Who-Lived really gave her the chills. Sure, he could be pretending, but with every passing minute she was doubting herself. Maybe the book was exaggerated? No, she had read a half-dozen books on this boy, and most of them tied back to the fact that he was rich, spoiled, and full of adventures. Damn! What was she thinking?
\-0-0-/
Harry walked alone to Transfiguration, even ignoring Neville who had several burns on his face and robes from the explosion. Harry was angry. Both internally and externally. 'How dare he assume I like being famous! If anything, I hate it even more!' Harry stalked into Transfiguration and angrily took a seat at the back of the classroom. He took his parchment, quill, and inks out and waited for class to start.
Professor McGonagall led her class through different Transfiguration spells and explained its history and its practical usages. Harry wrote down everything he could. As soon as McGonagall dismissed the class, Harry packed his pile of notes and stalked out of the classroom. McGonagall noticed this and frowned. She would need to give Albus the memory tonight. Hermione and Neville were pained about Harry, Hermione because she saw how hard he worked with her on that potion, and Neville because he was his friend.
Harry barley ate that night. Three bloody days into school and he already hated it. He hated History of Magic (although he got a bit over two hours' sleep), Potions, and Defense, classes he all thought he would enjoy. He sulked off to Charms without Neville and listened to Flitwick explain different wand movements that determined intensity, type, and effect of the desired charm. Flitwick let slip that they would start practicing wand movements that Thursday, and Harry was excited about that. However, that was only temporary as he continued jotting notes from class.
That evening, Harry was sitting at the fireplace in the Common Room when he was joined by his best friend and his Potions partner, Neville and Hermione.
"You alright, Harry?" Neville asked.
"I'll be fine." Harry replied, not breaking eye contact with the fire.
"Professor Snape shouldn't have said that to you, Harry." Hermione told Harry softly.
"Why did you ignore me on the train after me and Neville introduced ourselves?" Harry asked. While he didn't look at Hermione, he patiently waited. Minutes ticked by. Harry neither asked again nor prodded. He simply stared into the fire.
Hermione was having a mental argument about telling Harry the truth or lying to him. She spoke quickly. "I'm sorry, I'm going to bed." And with that, Hermione stood up and ran to her dorm, leaving the two boys sitting in front of the fire. Harry didn't react.
He closed his eyes for a solid minute, then opened them and looked at Neville.
"I'm headed to bed. You coming?"
Neville nodded. "I'll be right behind you."
And the boys went into their dorm to fall asleep.
\-0-0-/
Minerva was clutching the small vial with the silver strand in it. She was waiting for Professor Dumbledore to respond. Finally, he did.
"I trust Severus. However, I will take that and review it myself, and depending on the result, I will talk to him. Will this satisfy you, Minerva?"
She nodded her head. That was the only thing the Headmaster said about the matter in the countless times she brought it up to him since 1982, when Severus had first started working at Hogwarts.
"Very Well, Albus. Goodnight." Minerva turned on her heels and walked out.
\-0-0-/
September 4, 1991
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Harry woke up early. He was still annoyed at Snape from yesterday's class. Looking at his schedule, he cursed himself. He had his newly hated classes right after another. Bollocks. God damn schedule! He got dressed and woke Neville up, telling him that he was going to the library. Neville nodded, falling back on his pillow, as Harry left the Dorm. He arrived in the Common Room to see Hermione reading a book. He looked at her, and she looked back. He turned and walked towards the Portrait Hole.
"Harry," Hermione called out, but he was already gone. She sighed. Only now was she realizing that she made a mistake in doubting Harry simply because of books. Meanwhile, Harry was busy looking for the library. But, as he was wandering the halls looking for the library, Argus Filch caught him. He heavily questioned the boy before hastily pointing him in the correct direction.
"Thank you, Mr. Filch." Harry nodded at the man and went on his way. He arrived at the library, and surprisingly, it was open. The lady who ran the library was apparently extremely strict. Harry went in and politely requested guidance on Charms books, to which the lady hastily pointed to a section. Harry thanked her and went searching.
Forty minutes later, Harry left the library. He didn't find what he was looking for, and he hastily retraced his steps heading to the Great Hall.
"Hey mate, find what you're looking for?" Neville asked after Harry sat down.
"No, but I was only there for about an hour." He then plopped several eggs and pieces of bacon on his plate and ate with haste. He sighed angrily, then got up and left the Great Hall without a word.
Potions was horrid for Harry; his already angered state grew worse when Snape provoked him about being famous. Harry completely ignored his attempts to talk to him and didn't flinch when Snape deducted Gryffindor thirty points for his arrogance. The rest of his House looked angry at Harry, they were dangerously close to bottoming out, and they weren't even a week into school. As soon as Snape dismissed the class, Harry bolted out, completely ignoring his Professor's orders to stay behind. Neville knew his friend wasn't happy but didn't know what to do except try to talk to their Head of House. Hermione kept her head down and instead focused on her feet walking.
If Double Potions was horrid, Defense was just as bad. While Quirrell didn't single him out, he was horrible at lecturing, stuttering most of his words and not completing coherent sentences. Harry still focused on the class, the only way that he wouldn't erupt after the shitshow that was Potions. By the end of Defense, Neville, subtly prodded by Hermione, dragged Harry to the Great Hall. Harry kept his tongue, as he didn't want to lose his only friend. As he looked up at the Head Table, Professor Snape was muttering something to Professor McGonagall, who did not look happy.
Harry left the Great Hall with Neville and the pair headed to History of Magic class. He desperately wanted to pay attention, but he told Neville to wake him up at the end of class, to which he reluctantly agreed. Harry made a legit effort to be engaged for Herbology, for Neville's sake. And after Herbology, a happy lesson from Professor Sprout, Harry was in a slightly better mood than before, and enjoyed dinner with Neville. Hermione didn't try to talk to him thru any of it. She wanted Harry to feel better.
Transfiguration came right after dinner, and Harry was especially nervous as it was taught by Professor McGonagall, their Head of House. Neville reassured him and the pair arrived in Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall again emphasized that they would be attempting spells on Friday, and the class got excited. She then spent the block reviewing Evanesco, a cleaning spell that would be useful to many of the kids growing up.
"Harry Potter, please stay behind," McGonagall voiced as she dismissed her class. Harry heard this clear of day and reluctantly stayed behind.
"I spoke to Professor Dumbledore. He will handle Professor Snape. And speaking of him, you put on quite the performance this morning." McGonagall told Harry, watching his face. He was about to react, but she spoke first. "What you did was inappropriate and is frowned upon here at Hogwarts. However, his actions too were inappropriate." She looked at Harry. "I will let it go, not because you are famous, but because you owe Professor Snape a day of being nice. Please try to show some respect around him, even if you don't like him. Is that possible?" Harry simply nodded, and Professor McGonagall excused him.
Walking to Charms felt like a chore but reliving the conversation in his head it made sense to Harry. He was let off because of his mood. He wanted to desperately pound something, but he didn't fancy getting expelled so soon. Professor Flitwick's class was Harry's relaxing time, as the cheery Charms Professor taught the kids how to correctly move their wand when stating an incantation. Two things happened in that classroom that evening. One, Harry, for the life of himself, could not properly hold on to a wand as taught, and Hermione, for the sake of her sanity, realized just how bad of a person she was. 'Just more reasons on why I'm a jerk!' swirled around in her head as she mastered said wand movement flawlessly. Professor Flitwick promised the students their first practical spell works lesson would come tomorrow. Everyone was excited, Harry and Neville included.
The Gryffindors retreated to their dorms for a few hours of peace before Astronomy. Hermione engrossed herself into a book she once thought was true: The Early Life of Harry Potter, by Rita Skeeter. She cursed herself at each time the boy across the room would directly contradict the book's version of him. She didn't know what to do, when she tried talking to him, he ignored her. Now he might not want to be friends. Why did she blow it early on! Why couldn't she just accept who she saw? She was reliving her early days of Primary, when she was unable to make friends because she didn't want them. Now she wanted friends, but they didn't want her.
Astronomy was boring, despite Professor Sinistra's efforts to make textbook introductions easy. She sighed when a portion of her class was asleep. She figured she would need to break out of the assigned curriculum and pull out the telescopes three weeks early. She would make class interesting. Harry went to bed that night feeling better but being mad at Snape to his conversation with Professor McGonagall had really thrown him in for a loop. He decided to visit the library once again to continue research on his desired topic.
\-0-0-/
September 5, 1991
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Harry woke up and hastily retraced his steps to the library. He searched and read for over an hour, finally stopping right before breakfast was done. He had found his spell.
He walked into Defense with a small pep to his step, confusing not only Neville, but Hermione as well. It was even more confusing was when he pulled his wand out and muttered something... To have nothing happen. Harry scrunched his eyes, and more harshly stated the statement, completey not holding his wand correctly, before somehow his empty parchment flashed silver and his body visibly relaxed. He then pulled out his copy of Hogwarts: A History and began silently reading. Professor Quirrell took no notice of Harry reading in his class while he gave his lecture, and as both Hermione and Neville saw, the parchment at Harry's spot was neatly transcribing what Quirrell was saying. After Double Defense, Neville ran up to him and asked him about the spell.
Harry blushed but told Neville the spell was Dictare. It relied heavily on the intention of the charm, who it was meant for and where to transcribe it. When Neville pointed out he flunked his wand movement, Harry was puzzled. 'How did I cast that charm if I screwed the wand movement?' Harry shook the thought off as he and Neville headed towards lunch. Harry devoured anything within arm's length that afternoon as he was deprived of breakfast due to being in the library. Hermione sighed at the sight but was still nervous. Next lesson, the kids were learning to fly.
\-0-0-/
Madam Rolanda Hooch was the Hogwarts flying instructor, and she took high pride in being able to successfully teach students to fly. So, when the Gryffindors and the Slytherins lined up in front of batty old brooms, they were unsurprised to hear Madam Hooch momentarily complaining about the brooms before she started her lesson.
"Step to the left side of your broom, stick your right arm out over the broom, and command 'UP!' Do not mount your broom. Simply call it. Begin!" Madam Hooch yelled.
The kids struggled, students like Harry and Draco immediately got their brooms. Ronald Weasley, the redhead in the boy's dorm, had his broom whack him in the face. Neville was getting the hang of it; his broom was slightly floating above the ground. Hermione was commanding the broom, but it was not moving. Harry looked over and was about to ask if she needed help when Madam Hooch called out to Hermione to mean her command, not to command to command. Hermione nodded, tried again, and smiled widely when she got her broom in her hand. Harry smiled at that. At least she could do it.
There were three other notable points of interest in that class. First of all, the greatest bollocksing that the kids had ever seen.
"Mr. Malfoy, you are not mounting your broom correctly!" Madam Hooch told him.
"Nonsense," Draco smirked, "I've been flying this way for years. Father himself taught me!"
"You mean that oaf Lucius?" The teacher groaned. "It is wrong. Now follow my instructions or I'll kick you off the flying grounds before you can say Hogwarts!"
Draco's eyes widened at the harsh resemblance made about his father but didn't have the guts to respond. He simply nodded glumly and held onto the broom correctly.
The second point of interest was when Neville's nervousness accidently caused his broom to go haywire and toss him off, making him fall and breaking his wrist. Harry rushed to his friend's aid, but Madam Hooch had made her way to Neville, helping him stand to escort him to the Hospital Wing.
"If I see a broom in the air, the person riding it will be out of Hogwarts before they can say Quidditch!" Madam Hooch yelled as she escorted Neville inside. Draco Malfoy foolishly grabbed a possession of Neville's and was then faced by the full wrath of Harry Potter.
"Oh look! It's the fat kid's Remembrall!" Draco snorted. "Maybe if he squeezed this, he would maybe land on his fat arse!"
"Give it here, Malfoy." Harry demanded.
"No. I think I'll keep it and hide it." He jumped on a broom and took off. "How about the Astronomy Tower?"
Harry was angry. He angrily mounted his broom before a scared Hermione pleaded with him to not go.
"You'll be expelled! Don't do it!" But Harry was already in the air. He caught up with Malfoy and demanded he give it back. Malfoy smiled, then chucked the ball as hard as he could towards the school. Harry took off. Flying on the broom, he felt free. He felt in control. But his eyes were locked on the clear ball hurdling towards the school walls. He reached out, grabbed it, and did a full flip and a 180 degree turn before stopping several inches away from Professor McGonagall's window. She promptly looked shocked before running out of her office.
Harry flew back down to the grounds, and his whole House was cheering for him. The celebration only lasted for a minute before a shrill voice rang out.
"HARRY POTTER!" Professor McGonagall was out of breath. "Follow me." Harry gulped as he followed her. He followed his Transfiguration Professor and Head of House for a good ten minutes before she stopped in front of the Defense classroom. A minute later, a slightly taller kid with brown eyes, brown hair, and a big smile walked out.
"Harry, this is Oliver Wood. Wood, Harry." McGonagall introduced them. The boys shook hands.
"Wood, I have found you a seeker!" McGonagall exclaimed happily.
"But he's a First-Year Professor!" Oliver exclaimed.
"I will talk to the Headmaster about an exception. It is not everyday Quidditch prodigies come to Hogwarts!"
Oliver nodded and smiled at Harry. "Welcome to the team, friend!" Harry smiled back. "Thanks."
Harry smiled and Professor McGonagall allowed the boys to go back to their classes: Harry to Flying and Oliver to Defense. When he got back to the training grounds, Madam Hooch had arrived from the Hospital Wing. Draco stormed to Harry when he noticed he was smiling. "You versus me in a Duel. Saturday at midnight, in the trophy room. Bring one friend. We'll see who's better, Potter!" Draco sneered before stalking away.
A Duel? "What was a duel?" He accidently spoke. Hermione heard him and walked over.
"A duel is when two witches or wizards battle against each other using their wands." she explained.
He looked at her once, then twice, then spoke. "I don't know any spells to battle Malfoy!"
"Wait, you're not actually going to fall for his bait, are you?" Hermione exclaimed.
"What else am I supposed to do? That ponce treated Neville's stuff like crap and then challenged me after I was better at flying!"
"Don't go, trust me!"
"I'll think about it."
Hermione nodded and walked away. Even though she couldn't talk to him under terms of friendship, she gave him advice she hoped he would take.
Charms class was by far the best class of the day, according to Harry. Professor Flitwick taught them the spell Lumos and again reiterated the proper wand movement. He then dimmed the lights, and the kids got to work. Hermione and Harry paired up as they had a mutual respect for Neville, even if he was in the Hospital Wing. They both got the spell, and thy each won five points for their House. Unfortunately for Hermione, that mutual respect ended after class ended. He still slept through History of Magic, but he was able to cast the charm for his parchment to take notes while he snoozed. Harry woke up after being poked by Hermione, and was told class had ended, and the students were leaving. Harry nodded and said thanks, before heading towards the Great Hall for dinner.
Neville was waiting for him, clad with his Remembrall and a cast on his right wrist. Harry greeted his friend and apologized for not being able to help him more. It was also the time that the school would spread around the fact that Harry Potter was the new Seeker for Gryffindor's Quidditch team, as the Youngest Seeker in a century. Harry decided to throttle out of the Great Hall and got back to the Dorm, not wanting the attention he knew he would get.
Harry headed to Potions alone, arriving before Professor Snape had even arrived. He pulled out extra pieces of parchment and cast the spell on them. While he still wasn't getting the correct hand movement, the spell still worked. Fifteen minutes later, the class started pouring in. When 7:30 rolled around, Snape popped into the classroom and immediately began lecturing on effects that porcupine quills had in different potions. Thanks to Harry's spell, Neville was able to pay attention and not worry about notes since his wrist was healing from Flying. Snape momentarily sneered, and deducted Gryffindor one point for Neville's laziness. But Neville, as well as the kids, at this point knew not to fight back as they saw what happened on the first day between Harry and Snape. Class ended, Neville had his notes, and Harry carried his stuff for him. The duo made it back to their dorm, with Hermione following up until the spilt hall, and wished them goodnight. Both boys nodded, though Neville smiled at her. Harry went to sleep thinking about toasting Malfoy's ass that Saturday.
\-0-0-/
September 6, 1991
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Harry was woken up by Ron, the redhead, as he was excited for the last day of classes that week. Harry smiled, and woke up Neville, who was excited about their first period Herbology class. Meanwhile, in the Girls' dorm, Hermione was excited about double Charms that afternoon. Professor Flitwick had promised her that she could help her peers learn and master the Lumos Charm today. Hermione hopped out of bed, and quickly got dressed, waking Lavender and Becca in the process, accidently, of course. Hermione bounced down to the Common Room, surprised that Neville and Harry were sort of doing the same thing, excited about Herbology. Harry was much happier today, and it was most likely because they didn't have Potions. She joined the boys and headed down to breakfast.
When she said she joined them, she actually meant following them down to breakfast. She wanted to join them, but she also understood that Harry might still be receptive to being around her. Breakfast was eaten with happy conversations, Harry and Neville on Herbology and Hermione, Lavender, and Becca on Charms. For Hermione, accepting Becca as a friend with Lavender seemed right, but she didn't know how to explain it.
Herbology was a breeze for the boys, smiling, answering questions from prior lessons, and overall enjoying the environment that Professor Sprout promoted during every class. Next week, she would teach the students how to properly care for Folia Agendo without getting hurt, Neville seemed to be the most excited out of the whole class. Hermione smiled at Neville. While he was a nice boy, he didn't exactly know how to talk to people, Harry included. She simply mused that he talked better around Harry since he first talked to him and accepted friendship fast. If she was being honest, she wanted both boys to be her friend.
After Herbology, the kids made their way to History of Magic. Surprisingly, Harry didn't sleep through as he took notes on Binns' lecture, focused on the 1257 Centaur/Goblin Conflict that spanned the course of eight years. The direct outcome, according to Binns, was that in 1265 Goblins had opened up Gringotts' Bank and the Centaurs had taken refuge in the Forbidden Forest, claiming an area that was granted to them by the Goblins as part of a peace act. Following the outcome, Goblins throughout the Wizarding World opened their country banks for the Wizarding population. The economy in the Wizarding World was so far behind, that the golden Galleon, in 1270, was worth as much as three hundred British pounds.
Harry and Neville spent lunch re-hashing Binns' lecture, constantly discussing Gringotts and the Goblins and all that nonsense. Hermione, while a happy note taker, was more excited about Charms in an hour, and soon, that hour came. Better yet, it was a Double class. Hermione constantly helped her Gryffindor peers, especially Ron and Seamus, as the former held his wand worse than Harry, and the latter continually caused parts of the classroom to explode. Harry helped Neville, and soon enough he was able to get a faint glow on his wand tip.
Following Charms, an excited girl bounced out of the classroom. A minute later, two smiling boys also left the classroom. The Gryffindors walked to Defense class, where Harry was too full of energy to not cast the writing spell for himself, but he did do so for Neville. Harry wrote down notes that Quirrell talked about. He was disappointed, however. Quirrell's practical demonstration was a failure, and he ended up dropping his wand while unsuccessfully stating an incantation.
Dinner that night was a tad subdued, but nonetheless enjoyable. Everyone was excited about Transfiguration. Attempting to cast the Evanesco spell was as amazing as talking about it. Professor McGonagall kept her promise. She had the kids stand in the back of the room, and she waved her wand around and papers, books, chairs, desks, lights, and whatever else was loose began flying around the room. The instructions were simple. Use the spell to clean up the Transfiguration Classroom. She also hinted that the cleanest side of the classroom and the House doing it would win twenty-five points.
The classroom was full of excited kids, light banter, and the occasional incantation of Evanesco being called out. All in all, all the kids had a fun time. Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass, and Blaize Zabini did not have fun. And their lack of participation caused Slytherin to lose the competition. When everybody was seated, McGonagall explained in depth about intentions. She stated that if a person had a strong enough intention to cast a spell, but failed to physically cast it, the spell would cast based on the intent of the individual. Harry learned that it was the way he was able to get the spell working despite messing up the wand movement.
Dinner was ecstatic, most of the First-Years were telling the older kids about the competition they won in Transfiguration, and they older kids in turn congratulated them. That evening, in Astronomy, Professor Sinistra surprised the kids with thirty long range telescopes. She gave the kids five-minute intervals to look through them, and to enjoy the beauty of space and to have a fun class.
When Harry, Neville, Hermione, Lavender, Becca, and the remaining of Gryffindor's First-Years made it back to the Common Room, nobody was tired, despite heading to bed. Harry and the boys talked about the competition in McGonagall's class, the lack of Potions that day, Flitwick's Lumos workshop, and Sinistra's surprise. The kids that day felt like it was a good note to end on. A good note indeed. Tomorrow was Saturday. Tomorrow was the day that Harry would beat Malfoy's ass in dueling.
That is, if he could figure out how the heck to duel.
\-0-0-/
September 7, 1991
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Harry and most of his friends slept in that day. Why not? They had an awesome introductory week, and they had a great day of classes. Harry woke around ten that morning, while Ron was snoring, Neville cuddled in his sheets, Seamus laying on his back, his burnt eyebrows visible to the world, and Dean, sleeping without covers. Harry hopped out of bed and walked down to the Common Room, with 1,000 Magical Herbs and Fungi tucked neatly under his arm.
He sat down on the couch facing the fire and began to read. He was thinking of using a plant to defeat Malfoy that night, except he had no idea where to find any of them and he had no idea what to expect.
Lunch that day was calmer. Harry ate his lunch in peace, joined by Neville at the end, smiling.
"Hey Neville?" Harry asked.
"Yea?"
"Can you go with me tonight, to you know, face Malfoy?"
"Why me?"
"You're my best friend."
"I would, but I don't Harry, I'm sorry. Maybe ask Hermione? She's good with the wand and probably knows some spells?"
Harry retracted. "I'll think about it Neville, thanks."
"Anytime mate!" Neville than tucked into his lunch, while Harry stood up to go find Hermione. It was frustrating. When he didn't want her around, she was always there. When he needed her, and only this once, he couldn't find her. He decided to check the library for spells that he could use. However, he found Hermione sitting at a table, reading.
"Hey, um, Hermione?" Harry asked.
Hermione was frozen. Was this when he finally asked her to be his friend? She looked up. "Yea Harry?"
"I was wondering if you could go with me tonight, to you know, duel Malfoy. I asked Neville, but he said no, and you know spells."
Hermione sighed. "Fine. But if he isn't there, I'm leaving."
"Deal!" Harry smiled. He then went to the Charms section of the library. Hermione went back to reading.
It was past 11:00 PM, and Harry patiently waited for Hermione to come out of the Girl's dorm. She did, and she was clad in black leggings and a blue t-shirt.
"Let's go. I know where the trophy room is." Harry nodded.
Suddenly, Ron, out of nowhere, came bumbling down the stairs.
"Hiya Harry, Hermione. You guys sneaking out? Is it about Malfoy?"
"Uh, yeah, but-" Harry started.
"Great! I'll join you!" Ron walked over to the portrait hole. Harry and Hermione followed.
The journey to the Trophy Room was slow, and the kids avoided two prefects and the Head Girl. Upon reaching the spiraling staircase that led to the Trophy Room, the kids looked at each other and walked down. It was a never-ending staircase, it seemed. But they reached the ground floor. Except it wasn't Malfoy who was waiting for them, it was Filch.
\-0-0-/
Right after Dinner, Argus Filch had found a note in his office detailing how two Gryffindor students would be sneaking into the Trophy room at midnight. It was signed by "Your Slytherin House Ally." He was not pleased, to say the least, but he gathered his supplies and headed down to the Trophy Room. When he arrived, he started searching every corner of the room, trying to find the two mischievous Gryffindors. He waited and waited. It was now midnight. And no Gryffindor rulebreakers yet. He waited an extra half hour. When nobody showed up, Filch grunted and started heading back. What he didn't know was that the Gryffindors in question were only a few minutes ahead of him.
"We have to move!" Ron exclaimed.
"No duh!" Hermione exclaimed, annoyed.
"Shit," Harry cursed.
"Language, Harry." Hermione chastised him. Harry nodded. The kids reached the moving stairs and were about halfway up one when it suddenly lurched to the left, changing direction. Hermione took lead, and they found themselves in an old corridor. It was at this point two things happened. One, Mrs. Norris, Filch's Cat, ran in and started Meowing like crazy, and two, Hermione realized they were in the forbidden Third Floor Corridor.
"Run!" Harry exclaimed, and the three kids ran towards the only other door at the end of the hallway. It was locked.
"Move over Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, whipping out her wand. "Alohomora!" The lock clicked out, and the kids ran through the door. Mr. Filch wandered into that corridor, but seeing nothing out of the ordinary, left with Mrs. Norris.
"Alohomora?" Harry and Ron asked.
"Standard Book of Spells, chapter nine," Hermione responded.
"Why was the door locked anyways?" Ron asked.
"This is the third-floor corridor! It's forbidden!"
"And for good reason too," Harry voiced. Suddenly, a massive three headed dog began growling at them. The kids screamed and ran out of the door, locking it again after they barely get out. The kids ran non-stop to the Common Room, and they were out of breath by the time they reached the dorms.
"Now, unless you have any other stupid ideas, I'm going to bed. I'm not going to get killed, or worse, expelled." She stared into Harry's eyes before turning on her heel and slamming the door behind her.
"Sorry Ron." Harry stated, walking to their side.
"Don't worry about it, Harry."
Neville was awake and sitting on his bed. "Did you beat him?"
"It was a trap, Filch was waiting for us, but we escaped." Harry told him.
Neville nodded. "Night guys."
"Night," Harry and Ron called out, before heading to bed.
Author's Note: That concludes Chapter Two! Thank you for reading! The plot is moving along, and for those worried about Harry and Hermione's friendship, it will come. Don't worry. Anyways, I start school tomorrow, so the chapters might shorten slightly. They probably won't though, I'll check it. Anyways, until next week, Au Revoir!
BananaCarrot-Five